Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre, which is part of the Mekong Delta, is marvelous. Indeed, it feels like a little off the beaten path; Can Tho, Vietnam, feels like a hidden gem that you never knew you were looking for. The superb four islets include not only those of Tortoise Islet, often referred to as Cồn Quy, but also Dragon, Unicorn, and Phoenix islets. In addition to being nice to look at, these islets pack in so much cultural and historical significance. Hopefully, our adventure of wonders and the must-see wonderful Tortoise Islet attractions, fun activities, and essential travel tips fill you with wanderlust. Can’t wait to get to the end of this journey? Please take our hand without further ado.
Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre
Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre is part of the gorgeous Tien River. An attractive, secluded area confined by the beautiful communes of Tân Thạch and Quới Sơn, Châu Thành district, Ben Tre province. Interestingly enough, it is a tourist paradise. Can you not get there?
Distance from Ben Tre City: Approximately 23 vestiges. A 45-minute-long, adrenaline-packed trip followed by a half-hour-long, exciting boat journey to unleash the inner adventurer in you.
Just imagine that there was once a barren landmass, and it was nothing more than a humble outcrop covered with wild grasses. Over the centuries, it has become a wonderful, fertile island because silt continued to accumulate in its water, and a bit of human magic.
The chosen location of Tortoise Islet began to gain popularity in the 1960s. Discovering that such a great land is famous for not only its fruits but also for the fact that in its place every thousand years emerges a fabulous animal— turtle-islets. It crawls out of the water and testifies that in this place everything is destined to be eternal and lasting.
Tortoise Islet is a sensory delight in both eyes and stomach. Can you think of anything more indulgent than wandering through airy orchards filled with pomelo, longan, rambutan, bananas, coconuts, mangoes, and the less familiar but equally succulent fresh jackfruit? There is a rural picture-postcard appeal about the place with the thatched roof cottages and the wooden rakes for gathering the fruit all set against a serene backdrop of the Tien River. There is an endless scope of your senses.
Honey Bee Farms
One of the more unique and particularly tasty aspects of Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre is its honey bee farms. The bees here are responsible for pollinating the countless fruit trees to be found in the area; the product is high-quality, fresh, and pure bespoke honey that you will be able to see being produced on your tour of the farms. In addition to being scrumptious, supporting this cause is bound to give you a warm fuzzy feeling in your tummy as you work towards environmentally sustainable farming practices.
Most notably, rambutan, longan, and pomelo make the Tortoise Islet the tropical fruit utopia it is thanks to optimal soil and climate conditions for these botanical wonders.
The trip to Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre is not a proper one if not accompanied by a boat tour. The rides through the Tien River are simply stunning. Just imagine, the boat gently moves from side to side, the palm leaves whisper in the pleasant breeze, and the water hyacinths flow as they like. Total relaxation.
Get lost in the vast variety of fruit orchards and horticulture, tasting the most delicious, fresh fruits. Not just a sample, but a whole experience. Also, gain an understanding of the methods and machinery used in the region to cultivate the guerrilla gardens.
Standing among the highlights, as was already mentioned, the honey-bee farms provide a unique experience and insight into this specific business. Watch the professionals at work, tasting all kinds of honey, maybe even buying some. Overall sweet.
One of the best parts of visiting Tortoise Islet, Ben Tre is the opportunity to enjoy the local music Đờn Ca Tài Tử which was recognized as the first intangible cultural heritage of Southern Viet Nam by UNESCO. In most cases, you’ll be able to enjoy it outdoors, adding to the charm of the experience. It is an experience that will allow travelers to become culturally immersed.
When you come to Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre, one of the attractions you’ll enjoy the most is a cruise along the Mekong Delta. Here you can watch the famous wooden boats pick up and deliver their cargo as they have done for centuries. This lives with you.
In Ben Tre, Tortoise Islet is big on eco-tourism. The local community is big on sustainability and conservation, which helps to preserve natural beauty and culture. Organic farming and minimal use of plastics are just part of the efforts to go green.
Homestays and Authentic Local Experiences
For a truly immersive experience, stay in local homestays. Help with farming, cook traditional meals, and live according to the rhythm of islet life. It is as real a deal as it can get.
Interaction with Local Communities
Staying in homestays means getting to know more about the local communities. Their history, culture, and challenges provide an experience that is worth a hundred articles.
In islands like Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre, you will find several accommodations with prices for every budget and taste, among cozy homestays and comfortable guest houses. Below you can find recommendations for a nice lodging to stay.
Hung Long Hotel
Hung Long Hotel
Huỳnh Thảo Hotel
Diamond Stars Ben Tre Hotel
Tép Rang Dừa: Shrimp stir-fried with Coconut
Shrimp stir-fried with Coconut
First up, we have Tép Rang Dừa. Imagine this: fresh, juicy shrimp dancing in a hot pan with grated coconut. The result? A sweet and savory symphony that will make your taste buds sing. The shrimp are so tender and infused with the nutty goodness of coconut that you’ll wonder why you haven’t been eating this your whole life. Served with a side of steamed rice and garnished with fresh herbs, this dish is a must-try. One bite, and you’ll be hooked!
Cá Chiên Xù: Crispy Fried Fish Served with Herbs and Rice Paper
Next, let’s talk about Cá Chiên Xù. Picture a whole fish, deep-fried to golden perfection. The crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh inside create a texture party in your mouth. Served with a bouquet of fresh herbs and delicate rice papers, you get to play chef and wrap your bite-sized delights. Dip these in a tangy, spicy fish sauce, and you’ve got a flavor explosion that’s simply irresistible. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you!
Đuông Dừa: Coconut Worms for the Adventurous Eaters
Coconut worms
Now, for the brave and bold, we present Đuông Dừa. Yes, you read that right—coconut worms. These little critters are considered a delicacy around here. Imagine the rich, creamy texture of cheese or butter, but with a unique twist. You can eat them raw, fried, or even marinated in fish sauce. It might sound like a dare, but once you take the plunge, you’ll find it’s a surprisingly delicious treat. And hey, it makes for a great story to tell your friends back home!
Finally, gather around the table for Lẩu Cá Kèo, the ultimate communal dish. This fish hotpot features delicate cá kèo swimming in a tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy broth made with tamarind and pineapple. It’s served with a garden of fresh veggies and rice noodles. The best part? Cooking and sharing this meal with friends and family. It’s a heartwarming experience that turns a meal into a celebration. Plus, the flavors are so good, that you might just find yourself going for a second helping.
Restaurants in Ben Tre
Nhà Hàng Thủy Tạ
Bến Tre Garden Restaurant
Chợ Nổi Tân Thạch
The best time to visit the destination is during the dry season, starting from November and lasting until April. Another excellent season for visiting an islet is fruit harvest time, including June, July, and August, when local orchards are full of juicy ripe fruits.
Estimated Costs for Visiting Tortoise Islet
An estimated total cost is provided to include traveling, accommodations, activities, and meals for 2-day-1-night on Tortoise Islet, Ben Tre.
Budget-Friendly Tips
Tortoise Islet in Ben Tre is an amazing place combining pristine nature, rich culture, as well as a lot of distinctive and authentic experiences. Whether you are walking around the verdant orchards, listening to folk music, or exploring the ways of living here, your journey will be outstanding and unforgettable. Discover the question of why Tortoise Islet, the pearl of the Mekong Delta, is so unmissable, and plan your trip to Vietnam now. Are you excited? Let’s do this! Don’t forget to regularly follow our Fanpage for more interesting information about traveling Mekong to and to book Mekong Tours at the best prices.
The Mekong River, the ‘Mother of Waters’, is the heart and soul of mainland South-East Asia. Millions of people depend on its waters. It’s a way of life, a home for the spirits, the defining element in the everlasting battle for survival, and the foundation and boundaries of cultures and kingdoms across eons. The river speaks of the past and the future, of the eternally recurring cycles of nature, of the people living upstream and downstream, of survival, beauty and danger.
Foreigners can’t appreciate the role of the river in the lives of those who live in the Mekong basin. It influences every aspect of their daily existence, shaping not only the land, but also the people themselves.
The Mekong Basin extends over 795,000km2. More than 70 million people, 55 million of which inhabit the watershed area lying within Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Viet Nam, depend on the river and its tributaries for food, water and transport. At 4,350km, the Mekong is the longest river in Southeast Asia and the 12th longest in the world.
The river runs from its source deep in China’s Tsinghai Province through the eastern part of Tibet. From Yunnan province, it becomes the border between Myanmar and Laos, and between Laos and Thailand. From there it surges across Cambodia to Phnom Penh, where the Bassac River branches off. The two rivers continue to divide into nine outlets, the Cuu Long (Nine Dragons) of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, and finally discharge into the East Sea. The river is navigable from the delta to Southern Laos, where massive waterfalls near the Cambodian border prevent boats from travelling further.
About nine-tenths of the people in the Lower Mekong Basin are engaged in agriculture, mostly rice production on a massive scale, for which irrigation from the Mekong River is essential. A substantial proportion is exported, thus providing the staple diet of a far greater number than just those living in the area.
The Mekong River is also very rich in fish, the single most important source of animal protein in the diet of people living in the Lower Mekong Basin.
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel in Can Tho, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Cai Be
What is included: Transfer, tour guide, hotel breakfast, lunch, entrance fee(s), boat trip in Can Tho
| Hotels in Can Tho | ||
| Star | Hotel | Room Type |
| 3-Star hotel in Can Tho | Hau Giang Hotel | Superior |
| 4-Star hotel in Can Tho | Muong Thanh Hotel | Superior |
| 5-Star hotel in Can Tho | Victoria Hotel | Superior |
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
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Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
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We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
